DOWNTOWN — A popular Mexican Independence Day festival scheduled for next weekend in Grant Park has been called off due to the threat of a large immigration enforcement operation in Chicago, organizers announced Thursday.
Organizers behind El Grito Chicago, set to take place Sept. 13-14 in Grant Park, said Thursday that they would be postponing this year’s event after discussing the situation with city and state officials. However, they did not provide a new date for the event.
“This was a painful decision; however, with the heightened political tensions and given our location in downtown Chicago, we need to keep our community safe,” said German Gonzalez, an organizer for El Grito Chicago, in a statement. “To proceed in spite of the advice we’ve received directly from city and state officials and potentially expose our community to becoming collateral damage would be irresponsible. That’s a risk we are not willing to take.”
Last year’s two-day El Grito attracted about 24,000 people and recorded no festival-related incidents, organizers previously said. The change to this year’s plans come as city and state leaders have warned residents of a planned widespread immigration crackdown by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.
Gov. JB Pritzker said this week that he was notified that federal immigration agents will soon be deployed to Chicago, saying his administration believes the timing is tied to the city’s annual Mexican Independence Day festivities. That potentially puts Latino communities at particular risk of being targeted for federal immigration enforcement raids.
“It breaks my heart to report that we have been told ICE will try and disrupt community picnics and peaceful gatherings,” Pritzker said Tuesday.
El Grito said previously this week it was considering how to move forward considering the threat of widespread raids.
El Grito fest returned to the city last year after a 10-year hiatus to offer residents a way to celebrate Mexican heritage that did not involve car caravans.
Organizers behind the annual 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade in Little Village also told Block Club this week that they were working with elected officials and community organizations to “determine the best next steps that will ensure our community’s safety while honoring our cherished traditions.”
In Pilsen, the 24th annual Mexican Independence Day Parade is meanwhile still set to start at noon Saturday on West 18th Street.
Organizers have been working with the city and police and will have volunteer marshals to serve as “the eyes and ears” throughout the parade to alert participants if the National Guard or immigration agents show up, said Vicky Lugo, whose United Merchants Pilsen Chamber of Commerce organizes the parade.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
Reporter Francia Garcia Hernandez contributed.
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